Jersey City artist Gail Boykewich's new solo show "The Nature of Romance" couldn't be more aptly named.

Aside from exploring human relationships and love in her acyrlic paintings and papercuts, the 33-year-old also looks at nature and man's relationship with the natural world around him.

"I'm influenced by plants, spending time in parks and gardens," said Boykewich. "I also love film noir and American melodrama films--especially technicolor Douglas Sirk films. I love the exaggerated emotion, the strong female characters and of course, the style."

Boykewich's figurative style is one of the most distinctive in Hudson County and whether her works are colorful or black and white, a touch of whimsy or mystery can often be found somewhere on the canvas.

"My style developed a lot in college at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and I was influenced by the museum's collection. I spent a lot of time looking at the colors David Hockney used, Himalayan paintings and Joseph Cornell's shadow boxes (and) I'm really fascinated with magic realism," she said, adding that magic realist painters Ivan Albright and Grant Wood are some of her major influences.

Museums remain an inspiration for the artist, helping give life to one of the highlights of the show, "Bongo," which shows a bongo looking at the viewer while his mate drinks from a lilypad-laden pond in the background.

"I went to the American Museum of Natural History and was completely fascinated with these African antelopes called bongos," said Boykewich. "They were the most beautiful color and pattern, they're nocturnal and they travel in pairs."

The show's venue, local restaurant, bar and art gallery LITM, has special significance for Boykewich.

"LITM was the first place I worked when I moved here. It's where I met friends and discovered new artists. Most importantly, it's where I met my fiance!" said Boykewich.

"I think LITM is invaluable to the art community in Jersey City because so many artists and creative people go there to meet, have a drink, or attend the art openings every month," she added. "The curator, Andrea Morin, and LITM just give so many artists in the community a chance to show their work."

"The Nature of Romance" by Gail Boykewich opens Tuesday, June 3 with a garden tea party-themed reception at 7 p.m. at LITM, 140 Newark Ave., Jersey City. The show runs through June 28 and will be part of JC Fridays, a citywide festival of free arts events on June 6.